What is Turkish coffee?

Turkish coffee is known for its thickness and richness. Brewed in a copper coffee pot known as a cezve, it is made using very fine ground coffee, usually using a manual grinder. The coffee is then sweetened depending on your taste, or you can enjoy it unsweetened.

A popular drink for centuries in the Middle East and Balkans, Turkish coffee has its origins in the Ottoman Empire. Originally, it was prohibited since it was considered a drug under strict interpretations of the Quran. As the drink grew in popularity, the ban was eventually lifted. By the late 17th century, Turkish coffee had made its way to France and Great Britain.

This unique and popular coffee is made using different methods depending on the region. Some households even have their own way of brewing Turkish coffee. Coffee beans are ground very finely to the point that it has a similar texture to flour. Typically, the coffee is not filtered. As a result, the drink is much thicker than the coffee that most drinkers recognise.

Turkish coffee is brewed by boiling the finely ground coffee in water. Some drinkers add sugar or milk along with boiling water. Any bean can be used, although arabica beans are generally considered the best for this type of coffee.

Turkish coffee is typically served in small porcelain cups known as kahve fıncanı. Powdered coffee grounds are left in the drink, so you will notice some settle on the bottom. These remaining grounds are sometimes used to tell fortunes. Known as tasseography, cups are turned into the saucer to interpret the patterns of the coffee grounds. Most of the ground coffee, however, is suspended in the drink and consumed.